Texans zero in on drafting cornerback Amukamara

Texans zero in on drafting a top-quality cornerbackTeam may have to trade up if it wants Amukamara

JOHN McCLAIN, Copyright 2011 Houston Chronicle

Published 6:30 am, Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Photo: TOM FOX, The Dallas Morning News

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The Cowboys, who own the ninth pick in the first round of the draft, could stand in the way of the Texans nabbing Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara (21) with the 11th overall selection.

The Cowboys, who own the ninth pick in the first round of the draft, could stand in the way of the Texans nabbing Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara (21) with the 11th overall selection.

Photo: TOM FOX, The Dallas Morning News

Texans zero in on drafting cornerback Amukamara

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INDIANAPOLIS — If the Texans want to fill one of their most glaring needs and select a cornerback in the first round of the draft, Nebraska's Prince Amukamara is the most likely candidate.

To get Amukamara, the second-best prospect at his position behind LSU's Patrick Peterson, the Texans probably will have to trade up from the 11th spot. Trading up far enough to get Peterson - a top-three candidate - seems out of the question.

"I love the defense the Texans run, and if I get to play there, I'll do everything I can to help them win," Amukamara said Monday at the scouting combine.

Dallas has the ninth pick, and the Cowboys also need a cornerback like Amukamara.

"I think it would be a very good opportunity to play for the Cowboys," Amukamara said. "I'm not foreign to that stadium. I played in that stadium twice."

If a lockout begins Friday, as expected, free agency could be postponed for months, so teams with glaring needs better address them in the draft. If a team needs a corner, there's a short list at the top.

Amukamara, a 6-1, 206-pound senior, was asked if he thinks he's better than Peterson, a junior.

"That's a good question," he said with a smile. "I guess we'll find out. Patrick is an amazing player. Whatever attention or notoriety he's getting, he deserves it."

Peterson (6-0, 219) said he is the best cornerback available.

"I'd probably say my ball skills, toughness, and I can support the run," Peterson said of his strengths. "I'm an all-around cornerback, and that's what I wanted to do coming out of college, and I definitely want to continue that trend going into the NFL.

"Prince is a tremendous athlete. He's just as excited as I am about competing this week and April 28 (the first day of the draft)."

Some scouts think Amukamara and Peterson are best-suited for free safety, but each considers himself a corner.

It's important for Amukamara to run in the 4.4s for scouts at the combine today. The scouts know he's tough and a good tackler, but they want to see if he can consistently run in the 4.4s to be worthy of a top-10 pick.

"I think some people don't know what they're talking about and haven't seen me on film," Amukamara said about those who say he's not fast enough. "I guess I'll show them on Tuesday. If safety is what the team wants me to play, I'm more than happy to play it. However, I do feel I'm a better corner."

When asked about his strengths, Amukamara said: "I think character is a huge part, I think I have very good character.

"The thing I've been working on in the offseason is my technique. I think I'm too high in my backpedal."

Amukamara is determined to start as a rookie and make an impact on the team that drafts him. He wants to be a shutdown cornerback.

"Every corner should have that confidence, because they're on an island. And yes, I do feel I'm one of the best corners in the draft. That's my plan. I'm definitely not trying to redshirt in the NFL."